yep yep yep

Why is this something most Americans think is negotiable? Along with job security, this is something Americans just don't think they are entitled to. It makes me mad.

I have a chronic illness, and getting health coverage was impossible or exorbitant. Most companies outright said no or were going to charge me five times more than someone who was lucky enough to be born without an illness. I have health insurance now and I feel lucky, though the coverage is shitty. Half of my friends are uninsured. I don't know why this isn't seen as a crisis in this country. OK, done ranting!

i read an article recently about a lady who was chronically ill & went out & committed some serious (nonviolent felony) crime because she heard someone on the radio say prisoners got better healthcare than the general population.

desperation. unhealthy.

hi Bobby!

You will not necessarily be treated in an emergency at an American hospital.

A friend lost her son after a motorcycle accident because he was uninsured. He was accepted at the first hospital to take him, but they lacked the equipment and the staff to deal with a complicated and life threatening head injury. However, no other hospital, including the state hospital, was required by law to *accept a transfer* and none would until presented with $5000 in cash up front. Even then, the lifeflight choppers refused to fly him without immediate payment (another $1000), and the private ambulance service needed to move a boy who required ventilatory support also turned back twice because they didn't expect to get paid.

All in all, it took 17 hours for him to get any treatment beyond a gurney in an ER and a ventilator. And that was even though his mother had the 5 grand. Who knows if he would have lived if he'd been treated properly at once?

The point is that if you are uninsured, be damned sure that you go to the *right* ER.

I hear you Dru! I just made the intensely guilt inspiring decision to end my son's healthcare in favor of paying the electricity bill and buying groceries. I keep reminding myself that if there truly is an emergency he can get care...but that's not very comforting.